Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-04
LANSING LETTER.
Resume Of Legislative Proceedings and
Other News from the State Capital
LANSING, Jan'y 81, 's7.


the seating OF John Rairden as senator
from the first senatorial district and the
massage of the constitutional amendment
In the senate by the necessary two thirds
vote submitting the question OF prohibition
TO the people at the spring election. The
contest is now changed from the legisla-
ture TO the people, as the governor has APP
proved the joint resolution. \
Nothing else OF importance has transpir-
ed. Henry Chamberlain's protest against
Gov. Luce acting as governor because or
his being member Of the board OF agri-
culture made only passing ripple on the
current OF events. But the report OF tho
judiciary committee to whom II was re-
ferred left no doubt among the fair minded
that as soon as Mrs. Luce took the oath or
office as governor of Michigan his position
In the state board OF agriculture became
vacant
Joint resolution was passed in commit
tee OF the whole in the house calling for
constitutional amendment requiring that
after the year 1890 one must know how TO
read and write in the English language be-
fore he can vote An exception is made
in the case Of one who /, blind or armless,
or has some other physical disability max
ing it impossible for him 10 read or write.
II IL passes. as IL ought to- IL will probably
be submitted at the general election In
November.
The bill prohibiting the employment OF
PinkertOn detectives as deputy sherins
passed the house without a dissenting
vote, but the one asking for the repeal OF
what is known as the Baker conspiracy
law met a snag in the shape of petition
from Mr. f. A Baker, its author in tho
session OF 1877, that caused the friends OF
the bill 10 repeal TO lay II over until such
tims as complete canvass Of the house
demonstrated the certainty OF its passage.
Of al in
troduced by representative from De
troit and may be so amended as to apply
only TO that city. The recent re counts
there have shown that II one thing is
needed more than another IL is some
method whereby the honest desires OF duly
qualified electors can be expressed with
out fear or fraud. The provisions OF tho
bill now pending calls for a system very
similar TO that which now prevails In
France and Canada.
The legislature will take a recess OF 10
DAYS. from February TO February Is On
the afternoon OF the 3rd the entire BODY
will proceed 10 Ann Arbor, arriving there
at supper time and remaining all night,
being entertained at the home, OF the lead
ing citizens. Friday they Will inspect the
different departments OF the university
and Friday evening go to Detroit, as
guests of ex Gov Alger, TO attend the re-
ceptIon given 10 Gov. Luce.
Senator Monroe has in preparation bill
TO give TO women qualified as citizens the
right to vote at township, village or city
elections for all municipal officers
The measure is advocated by the
woman's suffrage association OF the state.
The association Is now engaged In organ
izing in all the cities and villages Of Michi-
gan. and some formidable petitions are
expected.
The house has just passed bill TO pro-
vide for the organization OF log and tim
Der insurance companies.
The 23d inst is the last bill day Of the ses-
sion, so that from now until the time ex-
pires there will be deluge of bills every
day. Those who have measures which they
are anXious,to introduce, will file blanks "
and then till them out after the time has
expired.
One Of the most important measures
now pehdinR is,tbe bill TO punish murder
and raIeb v hanging. The provision l. that
the extreme penalty shall be exercised only
on the recommendation Of the Jury. thus
providing an adequate safeguard against
the abuse of,the hanging power The bill
passed the house two year, ago and failSd
only by one vote in the senate. Three o.
those who favored the bill IN the previous
house are now in the senate, and are ex-
pected 70 help it there. No close canvass
has yet been made.
Mr. Oyiatt, the author OF the measure
argues in favor of his bill that during the
last two years - persons have been con
fined in the state prison for life or these
2l were sentenced for murder and one for
rape Besides these there have been 30
sentenced for manslaughter There are
now IS murder trials pending. Mr. Oviatt
thinks n few hangings would tend 10 re-
duce the murder list.
All altar tho anactino clauss ba. beer
stricken out OF the bill TO grant teachers
certificates to graduates of the Michigan
university
Among the bills introduced in the sen
ate is one 20 provide for indetermi5a u
sentences and disposition of criminals
under snch sentence.
The house has recommitted the bin per
uniting soldiers wives to enter the state
soldiers home. when married prior to
1862. An amendment was unanimously
passed limiting the act to wives married
prior TO 1865. Mr. Baker urged that thu
home was already Overlooking will
soldiers; that il was built on the dormitory
plan and there was no accommodation
Tor women. IL the bill passed more build
ings would be required. The matter wa
deferred till the committee can visit TIT
home and ascertain If women can be accom-
modated.
The house has passed a bill TO define the
qualifications OF deputy and under sheriffs
The Till provides that hereafter all deputy
and under sheriffs shall be citizens OF this
state and qualified electors in the county
where they shall be appointed or elected
The house has also pas ed a bill provid
Ing that every person who shall keep
house OF i'll fame, resOrted 70 for the pur
pose OF prostitution or iewdness, shall b,
punished by imprisonment in the stat,
prison not more than five years, or in tn,
county Jail not more than one year or by
fine not exceeding Sl.0JO or by both suci
hne aud imprson ment, in the discretion
of the court
The senate has pa sed n bill appropriat
ing $S,5S1 for a state weather service, anC
has also adopted "A resolution askinj
Michigan senators and representatives IL
congress TO take speedy action upon tn,
measure for the purchase 10y the genera
government OF the Portage lake canals, a
recommended by the commission Of thu
war department.
The senate has passed the joint resolu
ton introduced in an passed by the house
directing tho payment To Mrs. Ovid N